The Lunch Bunch was started a little over 4 years ago as the result of members on this forum with a desire to deepen the bonds of friendship and support by meeting our online WLS brothers and sisters face to face. What began with a group of 4 people meeting in the small breakroom in the warehouse owned and operated by the family of one of the attendees grew into a monthly gathering that often numbered in the 20s and 30s and came to include spouses, children, parents and other support people in our lives.

It transcended hospitals, surgeons, programs, and surgery types...all have been welcomed and have contributed invaluable support, encouragement, and information to fellow attendees.

For the past 4+ years I have coordinated most of these gatherings and have enjoyed the meetings, the friendships and the support. The friendships formed have seen us through emergency hospitalizations, plastic surgeries, births, deaths, and many other ups and downs of life. Many of the people I first met on this board and later in person at a Lunch Bunch gathering are still very dear friends and I cannot imagine my life or my journey without them.

That said...I feel it is time to turn over the reins to someone else. At this stage of my journey I am no longer as active on this board as I once was. I would love to see this group continue with a new core group of losers with a desire to share the journey like my friends and I have.

I do still monitor this board from time to time and would love to be a part of future gatherings as my schedule permits.

Anyone wanting to take this over, just start posting invitations and the people will come. You don't have to keep to any of the days and times we had in the past. Make the group fit the most active participants and have fun!!

Love to all and happy losing!!

Susan - AKA bilsrib